In this second part of a dinner conversation between PSG’s Marco Verratti, Julian Draxler, Thomas Meunier and Blaise Matuidi, the PSG teammates discuss Wednesday’s return leg against Barcelona in the Champions League round of 16.
With PSG holding a 4-0 advantage after their dominating display in Paris, you could forgive them for being in a more relaxed mood while discussing the second match at the Camp Nou. That’s anything but the case here.
Draxler tells of how, in last season’s Champions League, his club Wolfsburg defeated Real Madrid 2-0 in Germany, only to lose the return leg in Madrid 3-0.
Matuidi recounts how PSG, back in 2013-14, defeated Chelsea 3-1 in the first leg of the quarterfinals and traveled to London thinking the tie was over. Chelsea won the second leg 2-0, advancing to the semifinals on away goals.
They also speak in awe of the Camp Nou pitch and its massive size; how that means you become isolated in one on one situations with Neymar, Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta.
In the first part of this series, Verratti asked his teammates if they’d be happy with advancing after losing 5-1 at the Camp Nou, a result that would see them through on away goals.
“No, I’m pissed,” says Meunier.
“Yes, I’m happy,” says Draxler.
“Hell, I’m happy,” says Matuidi.
They know, even at 4-0 up, that this isn’t going to be easy.
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